Shinola Leather Factory Opening
May 16, 2014 by Anthony Hooper 
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Images
—01. Watch strap.
—02. Horween leather.
—03. Finished product.
Words
Since its creation in 2011, Shinola has gained significant prominence and begun to amass a dedicated following; having spent a day exploring their Detroit-based headquarters, it's clear that the attention is well deserved. Less than a year since opening its New York City flagship in TriBeCa, the company continues to grow, this time by expanding its Detroit manufacturing facilities to include a world-class leather factory.
Down the hall from where the watch movements are assembled, the leather factory features state-of-the-art machinery custom-built to Shinola's specifications. The most valuable asset on the factory's floor isn't the Italian-made machinery, however, it's Shinola's skilled labour force. The expansion means that more than 30 new hires have joined the company's ranks – now over 300-strong – including their manufacturing manager Paloma Vega, formerly a manger of production at Louis Vuitton.
The inclusion of the leather factory means better quality control and less wastage – the Horween leather is meticulously inspected for imperfections, while trimmings are set aside to be reused for strap loops – which, in short, means a superior end product. If you happen to have a timepiece already and are simply looking to update its look, Shinola offers their handmade watch straps in 20, 22 and 24mm widths, in a variety of leather and stitching combinations.
Leaving Detroit I couldn’t help but feel reinvigorated by the energy that Shinola exudes. It's a refreshing thing to witness: a brand that lives up to its name and goes about its business with both humility and integrity.
Shinola 
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